Point-rail-locking device.



V. H. NULLE.

' POINT RAIL LOCKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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IN VEN TOR By i Anomvisv Patented Mar. 26, 1912.A

`VICTOR I-I. NUL-LE, OF ANDERSON, INDIANA.

POINTLRAIL-LOCKING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Flai'. 26d, 1912.

i YApplication mea March 1o, 1911. serial No. 613,549.

In street railway trackage there has come into universal use, the classof switch shown in Figure 1 of the annexed drawings. This standardswitch is constructed and its sev keral parts are arranged substantiallyas shown and includes the separator block A to which the rails B and Care secured. The point rail D having its rear end connected in positionpivotally, is capable of being shifted from the one side to the other ofthe space between the rails B and C', thereby closing or opening thetrack main line as the case may be. In orderthat the cars may at alltimes be operated safely over this switch,

and thatthe point rail may be protected.

against injury, it is essential that the' point rail should be soretained in place that it will not be accidentally dislodged or shiftedfrom its operative position at engagement with'one or the other of therails `B or C. I-Ieretofore there have been means devised for soretaining or holding this point rail, but I am not aware that any ofsuch devices or invent-ions have proven to be practicable.

To be of utility or vreal use, a mechanism intended to accomplish theobjects sought by devices of the character above referred to, should besimple in construction and composed of parts so constructed and arrangedthat the`device will be ruggedand durable andnot liable to becomederanged or to get out of repair. Moreover the device should be capableof being applied easilyv and practically to switches that are already inuse and with the expenditure of the mini-r mum amount of time and labor.y

To provide a mechanism whereby the above named advantages may be gained,are t-he objects of my invention.

These, and other objects which will be apparent as thek specificationofmy invention ris read, are accomplished by, and'my present inventionconsists of the new and improved construction, combination andarrangement of parts described in this speciication, dened in theappended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The several'parts of my invention are designated in the different viewsby similar characters of reference.

Fig. l is a plan view, and Fig. Qis a side view showing a standard trackswitch equipped with my invention. Fig. 3 isY a transverse sectionalview taken on the line 3-#3 in Fig. yl. F ig. a is an end view of myimproved point rail locking device removed from its operative position.Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3. Fig. 6is a view of the'cover plate removed and in inverted position. Fig. 7 isa vertical sectional view taken on the line 7 7 in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is aview showing a modified form of fastening means, and Fig. 9 show's amodification of the shift bar.

Broadly stated, my invention consists of a transverse bar supportedslidablyin lposition and adapted to be connected to the underside of thepoint rail, the said bar having an angular tooth thereon, a detent toyieldingly maintain a pressure against the said tooth, and means wherebythe distance between the connecting end of the shift bar and the centerof said tooth may be varied. More specifically, the invention consistsof the new and useful features and details of rtaining this adjustmentyis that shown in Fig. 5. In the outer end of the bar E is screwed afinger piece E2 consisting yof a threaded bar, the upturned end of whichwill engage a recess provided therefor in the underside Vof the pointrail D. By this means, adjustment of the distance between the tooth Eland vthe point rail is possible.

The frame support and housing for the shift bar and the detent Fconsists of a cast metal case having the walls G1, G2, G3 and GL formedintegral with the bottom G. Guide studs I-I and H1 may be formed inte`gral with the bottom G, but preferably con-y sist of threaded piecesscrewed into suitably threaded holes in the said bottom. On the studs H1are the bearing rings H2. Between these pairs of studs and formedintegral with the bottom G are the ridges G5 of rounded or angular formin cross section, so that the ways so formed for the shift bar willpresent the minimum of bearing surface. The guide studs J and J1 may beformed integral with the bottom G, but preferably consist of threadedpieces `screwed into suitably threaded holes in the said bottom. On thestuds J1 are the bearing rings J2. Between the pairs of studs J and J 1are ridges G*3 which together with the studs J1 and the rings J2constitute guide ways for the detent F. The construction and arrangementof this detent will be clearly understood by reference to Fig. 5. Theforward end of this detent is square in cross section, and is retainedbetween the rings J2; its lower face resting on one of the ridges G5.The body portion of this detent is round in cross section and disposedthereon is a coil spring K whose function will be presently referred to.The sleeve F1 arranged loosely on the rear end of the detent performsthe function of a bearing to engage the guide studs J and constitutes amember between the nut F2 and the loose collar L whereby the position ofthe latter on the detent may be varied by manipulating the nut F2. Thecollar L1 bears against the forward portion of the detent. The sides ofthe collar L will bear against the studs J. By this construction it willbe seen that the detent is free to move longitudinally but is heldagainst transverse movement. The position to which the shift bar will beadjusted relative to the center line of the cle-tent, will be determinedby the dist-ance through which that portion of the point rail where thefinger piece is coni nected will be moved when the point rail is shiftedto operate the switch. 1n this regard further reference will be madewhen the operation of my invention is described.

The features of construction of the casement whereby the foregoing partsmay be practically held and sustained at operative position incombination with the track rail and point rail will now be pointed out.The wall G2 of the case is provided with the offset G7 of such depththat it will fit to the ball of the rail when the face of the said wallG2 is tightened against the web of the track or guard rail B. The lugsGs are formed integral with the bottom of the case and will rest againstthe base of the flange of the track rail. On the ends of the case areformed the bifurcated ears G9. At the side or wall G1 of the case areprovided feet G10 each of which has a recess for the reception of aspike or other fastening means. G11 designates an opening at the base ofthe wall G1, thus possibility of the accumulation of water in the caseis obviated.

The cover plate h1 is provided with a pair of ridges M1 and a pair ofridges B12 on its under side. These ridges are so positioned that whenthe cover plate is at the position as shown in Fig. l, the ridges h 1will register wit-h the tops of the studs H and H1 and will complete theguide ways for the shift bar E; and the ridges l 2 will register withthe tops of the studs J and J1 and will complete the guideways for thedetent F. The inner edges of the walls of the case are rabbeted, asshown in Fig. 2 so that the cover plate may be easily placed, and willbe effectively retained at the closed position. It may be secured bysuitable bolts N. The purpose in providing the openings O and P in thebottom of the case will presently be referred to.

This invention is capable of being applied to use at switches of variedstyles and structure, and it is shown in this specification as appliedto a switch of the most generally adopted type.

Very little work on the switch preparatory to installing this inventionis necessary. The device may7 be located with reference to the positionsof the cross ties Q, and the only work necessary on switch parts properis to cut holes in the flange of the rail B for the reception of thebolts R. In case it may (by reason of the cross ties) be unhandy to usebolts R at the ends of the case, then they may be used at the holes P.Being disposed at an angle, as shown in Fig. et, the case when the boltsare tightened will be drawn and will be held to tight contact with therail B. Spikes driven into the ties at the feet G10 will complete thefastening of the case into position.

There having been provided a channel A1 in the separator block A, andthrough the web of rail B, and a hole D1 in the underside of the pointrail D, the installation of my invention may be completed. The rings H2and J2 are first disposed on the studs H1 and J1 respectively. The shiftbar is then inserted into position as shown in Fig. 5, the finger pieceE2 coming into engagement with the hole D1. To make possible such finalplacement of this shift bar that the detent F constructed and arrangedas shown, will operate to hold the rail at contact with one or the otherof the track rails, is the function of the adjustable finger piece E2.When the final adjustment in the shift bar of the linger piece is had,the point rail and the tooth E1, each will be at central or neutralposition.

A desirable slope for the sides of the tooth E1 is that shown at Fig. 5,and the tooth is of such depth that when the shift bar is at either ofthe eXtreme positions of its movement, there will be a bearing of thewheel F2 against one side of the tooth and at a location between thepoint and base thereof. With the placement and securing in position ofthe cover plate M, the ridges M1 and M3 complete the guide ways for theshift bar and the detent, and the device is complete.

A point rail locking device constructed in accordance with my inventionis capable of such adjustment, and of being so easily se* cured inposit-ion that it is adaptable to form part of the equipment of anystyle of track switch employing the point rail. By virtue of theadjustability of the shift bar and of its arrangement relatively to theyieldable holding member which operates to urge the point rail in onedirection or the other at all times, it is possible to rig the inventionat any point desired with reference to the location of the cross ties orother form of structure or material upon which the rails are supported.Comparatively small work on the switch structure is needed preparatoryto installing my invention. All of the partsy are strong and durable,the work of construction and installation is simple, and there beingonly a small amount of machine work necessary, the invention may bemanufactured very economically.

Another important result of my invention is that it serves as aneffective drain; the water and slush of the switch will have egressthrough the channel A1 and will flow over the bottom of the case, andout through the opening G11. In the cover plate are provided holes M3through which lubricant may be introduced to lubricate the guide ways'ofthe shift bar and the detent, and the tooth El.

A modified form of means whereby the desired adjustability between thepoint rail and the center line of the tooth is shown at Fig. 9. Theshift bar has a plain outer end provided with a studlli to engage thepoint rail and the tooth E5 is capable of being moved to and held atdifferent adjusted positions on the shift bar.

In the work of installing this invention should it occur thatl it wouldnot be so convenient to use the ears G9, then the bolts R would bepassed through the holes P in the bottom of the case. Still anothermanner of fastening the case in place in engagement with the rail isshown in the modification at Fig. 8, wherein turnbuolle tie-rods S havetheir hook ends to engage the flange of the rail B and thel holes O ofthe bottom of the case. When my invention is to be applied to a switchcomposed of a rail B of height or proportion different from the oneshown herein, alteration of the depth of the lugs G8 and of the feet Gloand change in the shape of the offset G7 will be made accordingly.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In atrack switch,`the combination of a easement having an open top andadapted to have its side secured adjacent to the guard rail, pairs ofstuds rising from the bottom of said easement there being intermediateridges on the said bottom at each pair of studs, friction rings on theguide studs, a transverse shift bar between said studs and having itsone end to pass through the guard rail and having connection with thepoint rail, and being provided with a triangular tooth, a second set ofstuds rising from the bottom of the easement, friction rings on theforward pair of these last named studs, a detent disposed between thesaid studs, and at alinement to register with the center of the toothwhen the point V`rail is in neutral position, a friction wheel at theforward end of said detent, a spring to press said detent forwardly, andagainst said tooth, a cover yplate' for said easement, having pairs ofridges on its under side to register with f the tops of the said pairsof guide studs.

2. "In a track switch, the combination of a easement to be securedadjacent to the rail, pairs of studs rising from the bottom of saideasement, friction rings on the said studs, a transverse shift barbetween said studs and having connection with the point rail, atriangular tooth on the side of said bar, a second set of studs risingfrom the bottom of the easement, friction rings on the forward pair ofthese studs, a detent disposed between the said studs and at alinementto register with thecenter of the tooth when the point rail is atneutral position, a friction wheel at the forward end of said detent, aspring to press said detent forwardly and against said tooth, and meansto adjust the tension of said spring.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

VICTOR I-I. NULLE.

Vitnesses:

EMMA TURNER, MARY E. NULLE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, ID. C.

